and 1940. In some countries comparable increases have been accompanied 

 by famine. In this country the increase has been accompanied by more 

 abundant Food suppK', better lixing, more leisure, longer life, and better 

 health. 1 his is, largely, the product of three factors — the free play of initia- 

 tive of a vigorous people under democrac)', the heritage of great natural 

 wealth, and the advance of science and its application. 



Science, by itself, provides no panacea for individual, social, and economic 

 ills. It can be effective in the national welfare onlv as a member of a team, 

 whether the conditions be peace or war. But without scientific progress no 

 amount of achievement in other directions can insure our health, prosperity, 

 and securitv as a nation in the modern world. 



Science Is a Proper Concern of Government 



It has been basic United States policy that Government should foster the 

 opening of new frontiers. It opened the seas to clipper ships and furnished 

 land for pioneers. Although these frontiers have more or less disappeared, 

 the frontier of science remains. It is in keeping with the American tradition 

 — one which has made the United States great — that new frontiers shall be 

 made accessible for development by all American citizens. 



Moreover, since health, well-being, and security are proper concerns of 

 Government, scientific progress is, and must be, of vital interest to Govern- 

 ment. Without scientific progress the national health would deteriorate; 

 without scientific progress we could not hope for improvement in our stand- 

 ard of living or for an increased number of jobs for our citizens; and without 

 scientific progress we could not have maintained our liberties against tyranny. 



Government Relations to Science — Past and Future 



From early days the Government has taken an active interest in scientific 

 matters. During the nineteenth century the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the 

 Naval Observatory, the Department of Agriculture, and the Geological Sur- 

 vey were established. Through the Land Grant Gollege Acts the Govern- 

 ment has supported research in state institutions for more than 80 vears on 

 a gradually increasing scale. Since 1900 a large number of scientific agencies 

 have been established within the Federal Government, until in 1939 they 

 numbered more than 40. 



Much of the scientific research done by Government agencies is inter- 

 mediate in character between the two types of work commonly referred to 

 as basic and applied research. Almost all Government scientific work has 

 ultimate practical objectives but, in many fields of broad national concern, it 

 commonly involves long-teyn investigation of a fundamental nature. Gen- 

 erally speaking, the scientific agencies of Government are not so concerned 

 with immediate practical objectives as are the laboratories of industry nor, 

 on the other hand, are they as free to explore any natural phenomena 

 without regard to possible economic applications as are the educational and 

 private research institutions. Government scientific agencies have splendid 

 records of achievement, but they are limited in function. 



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